A lawyer for a Roma couple accused of abducting the girl found living
with them says the pair adopted the child from her biological mother.

In a case that has
generated huge interest in Greece, authorities have charged the couple
with abducting the child they call "Maria." They appeared in court
Monday and were remanded into custody pending a trial.

Authorities released photos of the child, possibly 4 or 5 years old, last week and sought public tips on her birth identity.

Kostas Katsavos, one of
the couple's lawyers, told the Reuters news agency that they adopted
Maria with the permission of her biological mother.

He conceded that the adoption was "non-legal." But he said he believes
the biological mother will be located soon and will verify the couple's
claims.